Depressing rehearsal...I need a pick me up.

zuma · #1 09-09-2007, 10:56 PM

Okay, I need your opinions fellow bass bretheren. I'll try to keep it short.

I was asked to fill in for a one time only show in two weeks. I knew the music was a bit complicated but I was up for a challenge and said what the hell, I'll go for it. So, for the past week I've been practicing these 10 songs over and over. I thought I was doing okay with them and that maybe I even improved on some of the bass lines. Today was our first rehearsal.

Immediately I noticed the bandleader/songwriter wasn't too keen on my "ideas." I backed off on being creative by the second song and stuck to the demos. As the rehearsal progressed I was told how to play each and every single note. Stacatto here, legato there, play the high octave here, do this run the 2nd time and halfway through the 3rd time...I could go on and on. Believe it or not, by the time the 4th song rolled around I was actually sort of impressed that this guy knew EXACTLY what he wanted. Then, four hours later, it was all over for me.

Rehearsal was done and I was packing my stuff and this guy says "Oh, can you leave the 5 string behind next time...bring your Jazz or something, the low notes where 'catching my ear' sometimes"

I replied politely with a "ummmm, sure ok" but inside I was FREAKIN PIST!!! In the end I guess I felt like I had given so much of myself - my time, my creativess (that I gave up), and a bit of my pride and here someone is telling me what instrument to play. Bloody hell! ***!? (Oh, and were going to cut two songs out of the set but thanks for learning them any way)

It brings up so much other stuff for me regarding being in a band but that's another story...let me just finish by saying that this guy's material is pretty damn good and he is incredibly talented. There is just no way I could be in a band like that. I don't even want to do the gig anymore.

Foamy · #2 09-09-2007, 11:00 PM

Get out. Get out now. NOW!
The Sun will rise in the East in the morning, and more opportunities will present themselves.
But get out of that situation now.
Leave, but leave politely, but firmly.
You have now learned a lesson (or maybe have just a little better idea) about how to prepare, and they will learn that you can't treat people like crap.
Win Win (really, it is)
But get my gist? Leave now!
:-)

zuma · #3 09-09-2007, 11:04 PM

I can't leave them hanging but you bet that it will be my one and only gig with them. Thanks for listening.

pstyle · #4 09-09-2007, 11:04 PM

yea.. if you're not having fun.. get out of it.

A.CLAYTON · #5 09-09-2007, 11:07 PM

The whole point of playing music is for enjoyment,if your not having a good time playing with this dude get out of it now.If he wants you to play his exact lines maybe he should be playing bass himself.

Depth_Charge · #6 09-09-2007, 11:19 PM

I commend you on seeing the commitment you made through to the end. Thats' very professional of you, as was your approach to learning the material.

If the songs are original and the guy hassling you wrote them (more specifically, the bass parts) then I can understand his desire to micro-manage your parts, and I would roll with him on it, since it's his gig etc.

But if it's cover songs and/or the guy is just being overly controlling, then I would do the gig for the live experience, then bail, and tell him why too. He might never have been told before

Good luck.

Foamy · #7 09-09-2007, 11:44 PM

Well, you CAN leave them hanging if they are treating you like crap. But you can also stay - up to you. But I sound like a broken record by saying that we are all here on this planet, in this life, for far too few cycles to waste any on not having fun at least by playing music.
Good luck. Cheers!

Kitsapbass · #8 09-09-2007, 11:59 PM

Do the gig - you've already commited to doing it, you've already learned the material, and you know they probably can't do it right without you at this point. Just remember, karma is a bitch and it is notorious for catching you when you least expect it. However, if and when they call the next time, tell them that your price has gone up, and tell them why. I have worked for people like this (control freaks) and I actually charge them more (and they know why); I still work for them on occasion, because I have a good ear, and I'll do as I'm told for $200 a gig.

On a bright note, one of the control freaks that I used to work with (he retired) asked me why the rate shot up astronomically; when I told him it was due to his attitude, he really lightened up and let me interject my own feel - and he paid me the higher rate as well!

K2000 · #9 09-10-2007, 12:14 AM

Ask him for the transcribed bass parts, if he wants you to play the parts exactly.

Foamy · #10 09-10-2007, 12:17 AM

It's not a matter of karma or professionalism to stick around and get treated crap. It's still getting treated like crap. Even if there were such a thing as karma...maybe THEY would be getting their karma for being jerks if zoomer bails. My advice is to not let anyone treat you like crap - paid for or not.

Stanley Design · #11 09-10-2007, 01:49 AM

If I'm hiring someone to do a job, I want it done correctly. If I'm a songwriter I expect the musician to play it the way it is written. It's not really treating you like crap, it's just a job and that's what is required of you. If it's your band and you are part of the creative process, then it's different and that's not okay, but this guy is hiring you for your technical ability and professionalism, not your creativity or style. It's a good idea to stick with the gig because you committed to it, and as a personal goal that even though it was hard and not very fun, you got the experience, maybe even the exposure. I agree, charge more next time if you feel like it, make it worth your while for sure. Don't worry, you're climbing the ladder.

zuma · #12 09-10-2007, 01:55 AM

Although I do genuinely feel like the whole thing would just go away, there is no way that I would back out. I'm also getting paid at least $100 bucks so that's something I suppose.

Like I said, I was kind of ok with being told what to play. It is his original material and I was ok with "playing as I'm told" after the shock wore off. I just blew my top when he told me not to bring my 5 string next time. That was my main point. The crazy part is that I played it VERY sparingly. We're talking a hit or two on D or Eb here and again. I thought it added a lot, as in "hey, that was a crazy low note, cool!" Apparently, not his taste.

Thanks for the backup folks. I really do feel better knowing that you guys definitely understand AND have been there yourself.

seansbrew · #13 09-10-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Stanley

If I'm hiring someone to do a job, I want it done correctly. If I'm a songwriter I expect the musician to play it the way it is written. It's not really treating you like crap, it's just a job and that's what is required of you. If it's your band and you are part of the creative process, then it's different and that's not okay, but this guy is hiring you for your technical ability and professionalism, not your creativity or style. It's a good idea to stick with the gig because you committed to it, and as a personal goal that even though it was hard and not very fun, you got the experience, maybe even the exposure. I agree, charge more next time if you feel like it, make it worth your while for sure. Don't worry, you're climbing the ladder.

+1

zuma · #14 09-10-2007, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Stanley

If I'm hiring someone to do a job, I want it done correctly. If I'm a songwriter I expect the musician to play it the way it is written. It's not really treating you like crap, it's just a job and that's what is required of you. If it's your band and you are part of the creative process, then it's different and that's not okay, but this guy is hiring you for your technical ability and professionalism, not your creativity or style. It's a good idea to stick with the gig because you committed to it, and as a personal goal that even though it was hard and not very fun, you got the experience, maybe even the exposure. I agree, charge more next time if you feel like it, make it worth your while for sure. Don't worry, you're climbing the ladder.

Ahhh good point and there was something I didn't realize...part of the reason this whole thing pisses me off is that I thought I was walking in to a barrel of fun. You see, the mastermind in the band is an old friend of mines husband. I've been to their gigs and so on (she is wonderfully talented as well). I received a call last minute saying they couldn't refuse this great gig and would I do it, we'll have a great time and get paid, etc. So I think I am walking in to save the day and all that. Little did I know I was just bass meat.

Hell, if I was a hired gun I wouldn't even think twice about any of this. I would provide a list of equipment and ask what was expected of me EXACTLY. Guys, I'm almost 34 and I've been playing for over 20 years. I'm not exactly new to this. On a personal level I think that I'm just a little disappointed to have magically attracted another control freak into my life. Temporarily into my life I should say!

Based on everybody's sound advice I suppose I should treat every situation (friend or not) as a hired gun and negotiate my price or barter accordingly. Time is the most precious thing we have to offer. I can't afford to piss it away in disappointments.

hellsgate · #15 09-10-2007, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuma

Time is the most precious thing we have to offer. I can't afford to piss it away in disappointments.

Amen to that mate.

Vanceman · #16 09-10-2007, 04:42 PM

You were asked to fill in for one-time only... that makes you a hired gun. I wish I was good enough to take something like this on, it's just another learning experience. Take a positive approach, and the gig will be fun.

fenderhutz · #17 09-10-2007, 04:49 PM

Or just call it an experience, bring your jazz next time, and work with a pain in the rear songwriter. If you were in the studio working for someone you could be subject to the same conditions.

As you stated the music is a challenge. Have fun with it.

chingas · #18 09-10-2007, 04:52 PM

Band rehearsals are to supposed to be work, in my opinion, so that you can have fun at the gig.

But, if just playing with them is a soul-crushing experience, and not a rewarding artistic challenge, then do the gig and GET OUT.

alexgeddy · #19 09-10-2007, 05:01 PM

hi zuma,

sometimes when the bass player is "better" or knows his parts better than the band, that's not a good thing and the person who is running the band gets intimidated. especially if you play a 5 or 6 string bass. Just grin and bear it, get your 100 bucks and say no the next time!!

good luck,
bill

questhe · #20 09-10-2007, 05:01 PM

If you are pist that he does not let you play your fav bass, take the b string off it. If he still says no, then he is just being abusive.